Microcomputer real-time flash x-ray controller for data acquisition

Abstract

A microcomputer-based real-time flash x-ray controller, which completely eliminates the "guesswork" in capturing projectiles on radiographs. The microcomputer measures the projectile velocity with high precision, calculates the correct delays in real-time and sends out appropriate triggering pulses to activate the x-ray tubes, arbitrarily arranged along the projectile flight path, to capture the projectile on radiographs at desired locations. The system imposes virtually no restrictions on x-ray tube locations downrange. It is software driven, user friendly and fully programmable for various ballistic range set-ups and it can be easily adapted to synchronize the time-critical controls of other equipment such as high speed cameras, target instrumentations, and the like. The use of a personal computer, centralizes the range operations as equipment control and experiment record-keeping become an integral task.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of performing high speed precision control of action stations used to collect data to assist in the study/analysis of fast moving objects, comprising the steps of: a. setting up at least two spaced reference points on an axis along which a fast moving object is to be propelled;   b. setting up at least two spaced action stations along said axis at points spaced randomly therealong and downstream of said reference points;   c. moving an object along said axis;   d. measuring the time the moving object takes to move from the first reference point to the second reference point and storing this time in memory;   e. calculating the time it takes the moving object to move from the second reference point to the first spaced action station according to the measured time and geometric setup;   f. initiating a delay procedure to wait for the object to arrive at the first action station and providing an electrical triggering signal to the first action station to initiate an action step in connection with the object moving by the first action station;   g. calculating the time it will take the moving object to move from the first action station to the second action station according to the measured time and the new geometric setup;   h. initiating a delay procedure to wait for the object to arrive at the second action station and providing an electrical triggering signal to the second action station to initiate an action step in connection with the object moving by the second action station; and   i. repeating step g through step h for each additional action station.   
     
     
       2. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 1, wherein the reference points are places where arrival of the object is sensed. 
     
     
       3. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 1, wherein the fast moving object is a projectile. 
     
     
       4. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 3, wherein the reference points are break screens. 
     
     
       5. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 4, wherein the action stations are flash x-ray tubes spaced along and subsequent to said break screens along said axis. 
     
     
       6. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 5, wherein the time-critical measuring, calculating and triggering functions are implemented with a memory-resident assembly language software program. 
     
     
       7. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 6, wherein the reference points are laser-photodiode beam-interrupting sensors. 
     
     
       8. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 7, wherein the action stations are high speed camera systems. 
     
     
       9. A method for performing high speed precision control of action stations as defined in claim 8, wherein the action stations are target instrumentation circuitry for measuring projectile/target interactions.